Going forward, labels would reflect the increased risk of sprue-like enteropathy posed by the drug.

The agency also pledged to continue its evaluation of this category of drugs and to report any additional material findings. It is also important to note that there is often a delay in the onset of sprue-like enteropathy and its accompanying symptoms.

It is not unusual for the condition to develop months or even years after Benicar use begins.

For these reasons, lawyers across the country are beginning to review potential Benicar lawsuits. Investigations into the lengthy delay in warning the public about the risk of sprue-like enteropathy and the associated danger of dehydration, malnutrition and weight loss are underway and injury victims are coming forward in greater numbers than ever before.

Determinations are being made concerning possible causes of action against Daiichi Sankyo and assessments of damages to individual plaintiffs are ongoing.

Benicar HCT controls high blood pressure. It works by blocking the effect of a hormone called angiotensin II. Unopposed, this substance prompts the blood vessels to contract, an action that tends to raise blood pressure.